JPH1035356A - Headlight controller for car - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatize the switching on-and-off of a headlight on whatever conditions the driver likes. SOLUTION: On the occasion when a headlight 8 is not automatically switched on and off on the condition a driver likes, a lighting switch 10 is switched to a lighting position of the headlight 8, after an ignition switch is on. Thereby the illuminance of car detected by an illuminance of car detecting means 6 at that time, is memorized in the second memory means 75. Then the lighting switch is returned to a neutral position, so that the switching on- and-off of the headlight 8 is automatically performed on the basis of the outside illuminance memorized in the second memory means 75.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a headlight control device for a vehicle which automatically turns on or off the headlight when the headlight is turned on at night or the like.

[0002]

Conventionally, turning on or off a small light or a headlight in a vehicle has been performed by a manual operation of a driver. However, in order to eliminate such troublesome manual operation, a small light is used. Various types of devices called an auto light device for automatically turning on and off a headlight have been developed.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. Sho 59-110737 discloses that the turning on and off of a headlight is controlled based on an output signal from an illuminance sensor for detecting illuminance outside a vehicle (page 3, lines 7 to 8 of the microfilm). When the vehicle is stopped in the lighting state, the headlight is turned off when the illuminance outside the vehicle is relatively large, for example, in a downtown area, and the illumination is maintained when the illuminance outside the vehicle is low, such as at an intersection in a suburb. (Pages 9-12) An apparatus is disclosed. Further, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-112622 discloses that when an illuminance signal output from an illuminance sensor is input to a light-on / off determination circuit, the light-on / off determination circuit outputs a light-on / light-off signal to a switching circuit and outputs a small signal. A device for turning on and off the lamp (page 3, lines 1 to 6 of the microfilm) is disclosed.

[0004] Each of the above-mentioned auto light devices turns on a small light or a headlight when the outside of the vehicle has an illuminance lower than a predetermined level by an illuminance sensor. Is automatically turned on and off. However, turning on and off the small lights and headlights is always performed unambiguously based on the same external illuminance regardless of the individual differences of the drivers. There were complaints in use such as the fact that the headlights were not turned on and off.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle headlight control device which can automatically turn on and off a headlight or a small light and a headlight in a state desired by an individual driver. Its purpose is to

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external illuminance detecting means for detecting an external illuminance, a lighting switch for at least turning on / off a headlight, and an ignition. Storage means for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight after the switch is turned on; and the point of the headlight based on the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the storage means. Automatic turning on / off control means for automatically controlling turning off.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the headlight does not turn on / off automatically in a state desired by the driver, the lighting switch is first turned on after the ignition switch is turned on. Just by switching, the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means at that time is stored in the storage means, and thereafter, based on the external illuminance stored in the storage means, the automatic light-on / off control means turns on and off the headlights. Is performed automatically. Further, since the storage of the illuminance outside the vehicle in the storage means is performed only when the ignition switch is turned on and the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight, the illuminance is set once in a state desired by the driver. The inconvenience of frequently changing the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle every time the lighting switch is operated can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external illuminance detecting means for detecting an external illuminance to achieve the above object.
A lighting switch for turning on and off the headlights and the small lights, an illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the headlights after turning on the ignition switch, and turning on the ignition switch. A storage unit for storing the external illuminance when the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the small light, and turning on and off the headlight based on the external illuminance stored in the storage unit. Automatic light-on / off control means for automatically controlling turning on / off of the small light.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, when the headlight or the small light does not automatically turn on / off in a state desired by the driver, the lighting switch is switched to the lighting position of the headlight or the small light. The external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means at that time is stored in the storage means. Thereafter, based on the external illuminance stored in the storage means, not only the turning on and off of the headlights but also the light of the small lights is performed. The light is turned off automatically by the automatic light-off control means. The illuminance outside the vehicle is stored in the storage means only when the ignition switch is turned on and the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight or the small light. It is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the set illuminance outside the vehicle is frequently switched every time the lighting switch is operated.

The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the configuration of claim 1 or 2, the storage means is rewritable.

According to this configuration, the illuminance outside the vehicle is stored in the storage means every time the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight or the small light after turning on the ignition switch. The reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle, which automatically switches on and off the headlight or small light, can be easily changed according to various conditions such as the physical condition of the driver and the weather.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 12 show an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, the vehicle headlight control device according to the present invention includes an ignition switch operation detecting means 1, a vehicle speed detecting means 2, , The foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3, the parking brake operation detecting means 4, the direction indicator operation detecting means 5, the illuminance detecting means 6 outside the vehicle, and the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are automatically turned on based on these detection signals. A control means 7 for controlling the lighting is provided. Reference numeral 10 denotes a lighting switch for manually turning on and off the at least the headlight 8, in this embodiment, the headlight 8 and the small light 9, and is mounted on, for example, a steering column.

The ignition switch detecting means 1
Is used to determine whether the engine is on or off. Generally, a key cylinder switch operated by a key can be used. An ignition switch operation signal based on the on / off operation of the switch is output to the control means 7.

The speed detecting means 2 is for judging a vehicle speed, and a speedometer can be used. A pulse signal corresponding to the vehicle speed is output to the control means 7 as a detection signal.

The foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3
Is to determine whether or not the brake is depressed by pressing the foot brake pedal, can use the foot brake pedal switch that is generally attached to the foot brake,
A foot brake pedal operation signal based on ON / OFF of this switch is output to the control means 7.

The parking brake operation detecting means 4
Is used to determine whether or not a parking brake is used to stop at a traffic light at an intersection or the like. A parking brake switch mounted on the parking brake can be used. A brake operation signal is output to the control means 7.

The direction indicator operation detecting means 5 determines whether the direction indicator is blinking for turning left or right (that is, the operating state is on) or not blinking (that is, the non-operating state is off). A turn signal switch or the like for operating the turn signal can be used for discrimination, and a turn signal operation signal is output to the control means 7 based on the on / off operation.

The outside illuminance detecting means 6 detects the outside illuminance and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the outside illuminance to the control means 7, and has a sensor unit 11 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. . The sensor unit 11 includes a light receiving sensor 12 as light receiving means and a push button type operation switch 13.
Is mounted on a circuit board 14, and the circuit board 14 is housed in a substantially cylindrical lower case 15, and a substantially cylindrical upper case 16 having a larger outer diameter than the lower case 15 is placed above the lower case 15. It is configured to be loosely fitted up and down. Then, by pressing the upper case 16, the operation switch 13 is turned on,
An OFF operation is performed, and the operation and release of the control means 7 can be performed by an ON / OFF signal of the operation switch 13. Further, by forming the upper case 16 from a light transmitting member, the upper case 16 is used not only as a main switch but also as a light receiving lens. Then, an analog signal from the light receiving sensor 12 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter (not shown) mounted on the circuit board 14, and the digitalized illuminance detection signal is output to the control means 7. It is composed.

The sensor unit 11 is used by attaching it to a dashboard (not shown) with a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. As shown in FIG.
Is built in the control unit case 21. The control unit case 21 is disposed in the dashboard, and is electrically connected to each of the detecting means 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, the lighting switch 10, and the like.
In general, the control means 7 uses a microcomputer with a built-in program.

Next, the electrical configuration relating to this device is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 31 denotes a control unit constituting the control means 7, and an input port of the control unit 31 is connected to an ignition switch 32 corresponding to the ignition switch detection means 1 via a fuse 33. In addition, a speedometer 34 corresponding to the speed detecting means 2, a foot brake pedal switch 35 corresponding to the foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3, and a parking brake operation detecting means 4
, A right turn switch 37 and a left turn switch 38 corresponding to the direction indicator operation detecting means 5, and the sensor unit 11 having the vehicle exterior illuminance detecting means 6 connected thereto. 39 is a foot brake lamp which forms a series circuit with the foot brake pedal switch 35, and 40 is a parking brake switch 36.
When the foot brake pedal switch 35 or the parking brake switch 36 is turned on, the parking brake lamp is turned on by supplying an operating voltage.

Reference numeral 41 denotes a combination switch (hereinafter, simply referred to as a combination switch) which also serves as the overtaking switch 42 and the dimmer switch 43 together with the writing switch 10. Among them, the lighting switch 10 for turning on / off the small light 9 alone or the headlight 8 and the small light 9 has first and second switching contacts 44 and 44a, and turns the combination switch 41. By doing so, the positions of these switching contacts 44a, 44a are both switched. As shown particularly in FIG. 5, each switching contact 44, 44a has a common terminal 45, 45a at one end, while an OFF terminal 46, 46a, S / L terminals 47, 47a, H / L terminals 48 and 48a are provided at the other ends, respectively. The common terminal 45 on the first switching contact 44 side is connected to the control unit
The S / L terminal 47 and the H / L terminal 48 are both connected to the second input terminal IN2 of 31 and the anode of the diode 49. Also, a common terminal 45 on the second switching contact 44a side
a is connected to a connection point between the other end of the exciting coil 51a constituting the first relay 50 and the first input terminal IN1 of the control unit 31, and the H / L terminal 48a is grounded.

The overtaking switch 42 performs a passing operation, and includes a first to third terminals.
52, 52a, and 52b, and the contact 53 is connected to each terminal 52, 52a, 52 only while the combination switch 41 is pushed to the front side, for example.
b. Also, headlight 8
A dimmer switch 43 for performing the switching operation between the high beam and the low beam is provided with a common terminal 55 at one end of the contact 54.
While the other end is provided with an H terminal 56 and an L terminal 56a, and the common terminal 55 is grounded together with the second terminal 52a of the overtaking switch 42. A first terminal 52 of the overtaking switch 42 is connected to a common contact 45a of the second switching contact 44a, and a third terminal 52b of the overtaking switch 42.
Is connected to the H terminal 56 of the dimmer switch 43, and the H terminal 56 of the dimmer switch 43 is connected to the other ends of the right high beam lamp 62 and the left high beam lamp 62a, which will be described later, and one end of the high beam indicator 57. Connected to a point.

The headlight 8 comprises a right high beam lamp 62 and a right low beam lamp 63, and a left high beam lamp 62a and a right low beam lamp 63a. Further, the first relay 50 is provided as a headlight driving means for energizing and disconnecting the headlight 8. The first relay 50 has one end of an exciting coil 51a and one end of a contact 51b connected to a battery + B as a voltage supply source, and the other end of the exciting coil 51a connected to a control unit.
The other end of the contact 51b is connected to one end of a lamp 62, 63 and one end of a lamp 62a, 63a via a fuse 64, 64a, respectively. Further, in order to continuously vary the dimming rate of the headlight 8 based on the duty ratio of the pulse supplied from the first output terminal OUT1 of the control unit 31, one end of the lamps 62 and 63 and the lamps 62a and 63a is used. A pair of FETs (field effect transistors) as another headlight driving means in which a source is connected, a battery + B is connected to a drain, and each output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 31 is connected to a gate.
65 and 65a are provided respectively.

Reference numeral 67 denotes a small lamp constituting the small light 9. In addition, a second relay 68 is provided as a small light drive unit for energizing and disconnecting the small light 9. This second relay 68
One end of the exciting coil 69a and the contact 69b is connected to a battery + B as a voltage supply source, and the other end of the exciting coil 51a is connected to the second output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 31 and the anode of the diode 49, while the other end of the contact 51b is connected. One end of a small lamp 67 is connected to one end. Although not shown, the other end of the small lamp 67 is grounded.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the combination switch 41 is in the neutral position, that is, the first and second switching contacts 44, 44a of the lighting switch 10 are OFF.
When the terminals are in contact with the terminals 46 and 46a, the first input terminal IN1 and the second input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 are set.
However, none of them are grounded, so that the control means 7 in the control unit 31 has an auto light function of changing the dimming rate of the headlight 8 according to the illuminance outside the vehicle detected by the sensor unit 11. Run.
Specifically, when the illuminance outside the vehicle falls below a certain predetermined value, the second output terminal OUT2 of the control unit 31 changes from the previous H level (battery + B potential) to the L level (ground potential). Switch. Then, the exciting current flows through the exciting coil 69a of the second relay 68, the contact 69b is closed, and the small lamp 67 constituting the small light 9 is turned on. When the illuminance outside the vehicle further falls below the predetermined value, a pulse drive signal is output from the first output terminal OUT1 of the control unit 31 to the gates of the FETs 65 and 65A, and the drain-source of the FETs 65 and 65A is intermittently connected. Electrical conduction. Thereby, F
When the ETs 65 and 65A are conducting, the voltage of the battery + B is applied to the left and right low beam lamps 63 and 63 constituting the headlight 8.
a, and these low-beam lamps 63, 63a
Are energized and lit according to the ON period of the pulse drive signal. At this time, the control unit 31 gradually increases the number of pulses of the pulse driving signal output to the FETs 65 and 65A as the illuminance outside the vehicle decreases, and increases the voltage ratio of the ON period in a predetermined period, that is, the duty ratio. Perform control. As a result, the illuminance of the headlight 8 gradually increases and decreases according to a change in the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output to each of the FETs 65 and 65A.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the first switch 41 and the second switching contact 44a of the lighting switch 10 are brought into contact with the S / L terminals 47 and 47a by rotating the switch 41, the second input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 is switched to the first switching contact 44. , The automatic light function by the control means 7 is released. And
In this case, the exciting current flows in the order of battery + B → the exciting coil 69a of the second relay 68 → the diode 49 → the first switching contact 44 → the ground point, the contact 69b closes, and only the small lamp 67 is energized and lit. Furthermore, when the second input terminal IN2 is first switched to the ground level after turning on the ignition switch 32, the control unit 31 determines that the lighting switch 10 has been switched to the lighting position of the small light 9, and The external illuminance obtained by the external illuminance detection means 6 at this time is stored in a first storage means 74 described later. Thereafter, when the combination switch 41 is returned to the neutral position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6 becomes lower than the external illuminance stored in the first storage means 74. Sometimes, the small light 9 is automatically turned on.

Also, as shown in FIG.
When the first switch 41 is further rotated to bring the first and second switching contacts 44, 44a of the lighting switch 10 into contact with the H / L terminals 48, 48a, the first input terminal IN1 of the control unit 31 is turned on.
Are grounded via a second switching contact 44a, and
Since the input terminal IN2 is also grounded via the first switching contact 44, the automatic light function by the control means 7 is released.
Also, the exciting current flows into the exciting coil 69a of the second relay 68, and the small lamp 67 is energized and turned on. Then, the exciting current flows in the order of battery + B → the excitation coil 51a of the first relay 50 → the second switching contact 44a → the ground point, and the contact
51b is closed, and the left and right low beam lamps 63, 63 are continuously energized and lit. After turning on the ignition switch 32, the control unit 31 first turns on the first input terminal IN1.
Is switched to the ground level, it is determined that the lighting switch 10 has been switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8 and the small light 9 and the illuminance detection means 6 outside the vehicle at this time is determined.
Is stored in the second storage means 75. Thereafter, when the combination switch 41 is returned to the neutral position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6 becomes lower than the external illuminance stored in the second storage means 75. At times, the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are automatically turned on.

Also, as shown in FIG.
Move 41 to the front, and set the overtaking switch 42
When the contact 53 of the control unit 31 is brought into contact with the first to third terminals 52, 52a, 52b, the first input terminal IN2 of the control unit 31 is grounded via the second switching contact 44a. It is released. Further, the exciting coil of the first relay 50 is connected via the overtaking switch 42.
The other end of 51a, the other ends of the left and right high beam lamps 62, 62a, and one end of the high beam indicator 57 are grounded, and an exciting current flows from the battery + B into the exciting coil 51a, and the contact 51b is closed to close the headlight. The lamps 62, 63 and the lamps 62a, 63a constituting the lamp 8 are continuously energized and turned on, and the high beam indicator 57 is also turned on. As shown in FIG. 9, first and second switching contacts 44, 44 of the lighting switch 10 are provided.
When the contact of the dimmer switch 43 is brought into contact with the H terminal 56 by operating the combination switch 41 in a state in which the terminal a contacts the H / L terminals 48 and 48a, the first switch is connected via the lighting switch 10 and the combination switch 41. The other end of the exciting coil 51a of the relay 50, the other ends of the left and right high beam lamps 62, 62a, and one end of the high beam indicator 57 are grounded.
Therefore, also in this case, the lamps 62 and 63 and the lamps 62a and 63a constituting the headlight 8 are all continuously energized and lit, and the high beam indicator 57 is lit.

Next, the functional configuration of the control means 7 built in the control unit 31 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, reference numeral 71 denotes a lighting state of the headlight 8, a vehicle speed detecting means 2, a foot brake pedal operation detecting means 3,
Alternatively, when the parking brake operation detection means 4 detects that the vehicle has stopped, the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72 to the headlights 8 is made smaller than when the vehicle is running, and the headlights 8 are turned off. This is a vehicle stop-time dimming control unit that dims to a predetermined dimming rate. When the direction indicator operation detecting means 5 detects that the direction indicator has been operated when the vehicle is stopped, the dimming control means 71 at the time of stopping the vehicle detects the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72. And a function of controlling the lighting of the headlight 8 to a dimming rate larger than a predetermined dimming rate. In this case, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means 71 gradually narrows or widens the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72, so that the headlight 8 is controlled during a predetermined time. Is configured to gradually increase or decrease the light intensity.

Reference numeral 73 denotes an automatic lighting / light-off control means for automatically turning on / off or dimming the headlight 8 and the small light 9 based on the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6. This automatic light-off control means 73
As described above, after the ignition switch 32 is turned on, the first storage means 74 for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch 10 is first switched to the lighting position of the small light 9, and the ignition switch 32 is turned on. And a second storage means 75 for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch 10 is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8 and the small light 9.
Built-in 76. This storage means 76 is preferably a RAM which can be rewritten each time the control means 7 is activated, or an EEPROM which can be electrically erased and rewritten.

The automatic light-on / off control means 73 controls the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6 to be equal to or less than the external illuminance stored in the first storage means 74 regardless of whether the vehicle is running or stopped. Then, the small light 9 is automatically turned on, and when the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6 becomes equal to or less than the external illuminance stored in the second storage means 75, not only the small light 9 but also the headlight 8 Automatically turns on, and as the exterior illuminance detected by the exterior illuminance detection means 6 further decreases, the conduction width of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72 is gradually increased, It has a function of increasing the dimming rate of the headlight 8. 4 to 9, when the lighting operation of the headlight 8 or the small light 9 is performed by the combination switch 41 including the lighting switch 10, the overtaking switch 42, and the dimmer switch 43. , Automatic turning on / off control means
It is configured so that the operation of 73 is canceled.

Next, FIG. 1 shows an operation procedure of the control means 7.
1 and the flow chart of FIG. 12, the operation of the present apparatus will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, first, when the engine is started by turning on the ignition switch 32, an operation signal indicating that the engine is on is output from the ignition switch operation detecting means 1 to the control means 7, and the operation switch 13 is turned on. If so, the operation of the control means 7 starts (S · 1). Subsequently, the control means 7
Determines the vehicle speed (S.2), and measures the illuminance outside the vehicle according to the illuminance detection signal from the illuminance detection unit 6 when the vehicle is running (S.3). Based on this measurement result, the control means 7
The automatic turning on / off control means 73 determines whether or not the lighting illuminance of the small light 9 is reached (S · 4). If the lighting illuminance has been reached, the small light 9 is turned on (S · 4).
5) If the lighting intensity of the small light 9 is brighter,
Without turning on the small light 9, the measurement of the illuminance outside the vehicle (S
・ Return to 3). Further, the small light 9 is turned on (S ·
5) Then, the automatic light-on / off control means 73 of the control means 7 determines whether or not the illuminance of the headlight 8 is on next (S).
・ 6) If the lighting illuminance has reached, the headlight 8
Is turned on (S7), and when the illuminance outside the vehicle is brighter than the illuminance of the headlight 8, the measurement of the illuminance outside the vehicle (S
Return to 3). The lighting illuminance of the small light 9 and the headlight 8 is stored in a ROM (not shown) of the control means 7, and when the combination switch 41, that is, the lighting switch 10, which will be described later, is not operated, for example, outside the vehicle The small light 9 is turned on when the illuminance falls below 100 lux, and the headlight 8 is turned on when the illuminance outside the vehicle falls below 50 lux.

After the headlight 8 is turned on (S.7), the control means 7 determines the vehicle speed (S.8). When the vehicle is in a running state, the illuminance outside the vehicle is measured to determine whether or not the illuminance of the headlight 8 is on. Is determined (S6). If the illuminance outside the vehicle has reached the lighting illuminance of the headlight 8, the lighting of the headlight 8 and the small light 9 continues. In this series of operations (S6 to S8), the automatic light-off control means 73 of the control means 7 controls the headlights 8 according to the illuminance outside the vehicle.
Increase or decrease the illuminance. This is performed by varying the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72.

On the other hand, after the headlight 8 is turned on (S ·
7) As a result of determining the vehicle speed (S · 8), if the vehicle speed is zero, the vehicle stop-time dimming control means 71 of the control means 7 further determines the operating state of the foot brake pedal and the side brake (S).・ 9). At this time, if one or both of the foot brake pedal and the side brake are used, the vehicle is in a stopped state, and the operation state of the direction indicator is subsequently determined based on the operation signal from the direction indicator operation detecting means 5. If the direction indicator is not operated (S · 10), the vehicle-stop dimming control means 71 of the control means 7 does not operate.
Determines that the vehicle is temporarily stopped, such as waiting for a traffic light, and dims the headlight 8 to a predetermined dimming rate (S · 11). In this case, the predetermined dimming rate is about 10 to 30% when the illuminance in the running state is 100%.

On the other hand, in the determination of the operation state of the turn signal (S · 10), if the turn signal is operated,
The vehicle-stop-time dimming control means 71 of the control means 7 determines that the vehicle is in a state of waiting for an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian to pass due to a left turn or a right turn, and sets the headlight 8 to the predetermined dimming rate. The lighting control is performed to a light reduction rate of at least 40 to 80% (60% in the embodiment) which is larger (S · 12). As a result, it is easy to confirm the presence of an oncoming vehicle or a pedestrian when turning left or right, and power consumption is reduced. Also, while the vehicle is stopped, the headlights 8 are brighter when the turn signal is operated, so that a pedestrian from the vehicle can be checked well when turning left or the like. On the other hand, in a temporary stop state such as a signal waiting state where the turn signal is not operated, the dimming rate of the headlight 8 is reduced, so that unnecessary battery discharge during a long signal waiting state or traffic jam can be prevented.

Also, by changing the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output from the pulse conduction width control means 72, the dimming of the headlights 8 is performed gradually during the elapse of a predetermined time. Even when waiting for a pedestrian to pass, the headlights 8 do not suddenly dimm and turn off, and the visibility to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians is not impaired. In addition, for example, when the vehicle is stopped for a short time at a temporary stop, the headlights 8 gradually diminish rather than suddenly. Is not compromised.

When the vehicle stops and the vehicle starts and determines the running state (S.8), it is determined again whether or not the illuminance of the headlight 8 is on (S.6). If the illuminance of the headlight 8 is in the running state (100
%).

The flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is repeated while the engine is on and the operation switch 13 is on, and is released when at least one of the engine and the operation switch 13 is off. When released, the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are turned off.

Next, the automatic cancel function of the control means 7 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the ignition switch 32 is turned on and the engine is started (S · 1), the control means 7 returns to FIG.
The lighting control (S21) of the series of headlights 8 and small lights 9 shown in the flowchart of FIG. The turning on and off of the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 at this time is based on the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the control means 7 in advance. Thereafter, when the combination switch 41 is arbitrarily operated from the neutral position to perform the lighting operation of the headlight 8 or the small light 9 or the passing operation (S22), the input terminal of the control unit 31 is input.
When one of IN1 and IN2 is grounded, the lighting control of the control means 7 is released (S23). Therefore, the suspension in the temporary stop or the like is prolonged and the headlight 8
If the light dims, for example, the lighting switch 10
Is operated, the headlight 8 returns to the normal illuminance,
A forward check can be performed. When the small light 9 needs to be turned on before the small light 9 is turned on by the control means 7, the small light 9 can be operated simply by operating the lighting switch 10 without turning off the operation switch 13. 9 or the headlight 8 can be turned on manually.

The automatic light-on / off control means 73 of the control means 7 turns on the ignition switch 32 based on the result of monitoring the first input terminal IN1 and the second input terminal IN2 and then turns the lighting switch 10 on the small light switch first. 9 (S24), the external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6 at that time is stored in the first storage means.
74 is stored (S.25), and after the ignition switch 32 is turned on, the lighting switch is first turned on.
If 10 is switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8 (S.
26) The external illuminance detected by the external illuminance detection means 6 at that time is stored in the second storage means 75 (S27). Thereafter, when the lighting switch 10 is turned off and the combination switch 41 is returned to the neutral position (S · 28), instead of the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the ROM of the control means 7,
Based on the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the first storage means 74 and the second storage means 75 (S29), the lighting control by the control means 7 is restarted (S21). Then, when the combination switch 41 returns to the neutral position, the automatic light-off control means 73 of the control means 7 stores the data in the first storage means 74 and the second storage means 75 unless the ignition switch 32 is turned off. Thereafter, the turning on and off of the small light 9 or the headlight 8 is automatically controlled based on the illuminance outside the vehicle.

On the other hand, when the lighting operation of the small light 9 or the headlight 8 by the lighting switch 10 is performed for the second time or later, or when the passing operation by the overtaking switch 42 is performed, the outside of the vehicle to the storage means 76 is stored. When the illuminance is not stored and the combination switch 41 is thereafter returned to the neutral position (S30), the lighting control by the control means 7 is restarted (S21).
At this time, if the illuminance outside the vehicle is already stored in the first storage means 74 and the second storage means 75, the small light 9 or the headlight 8 is automatically turned on and off based on the illuminance outside the vehicle.

As described above, in the above embodiment, if the headlight 8 does not turn on and off automatically in a state desired by the driver, the ignition switch 32 is turned on and then the lighting switch 32 is turned on first. Illuminance detection means 6 at that time only by switching to the lighting position of
Is stored in the second storage means 75 of the storage means 76, and thereafter, the automatic light-on / off control means 73 turns the headlights 8 on and off based on the vehicle exterior illuminance stored in the second storage means 75. The light is turned off automatically. The storage of the illuminance outside the vehicle in the second storage means 75 is performed only when the ignition switch 32 is turned on and the lighting switch 10 is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8, so that the driver once desires. The inconvenience of frequently changing the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle stored and set in each state every time the lighting switch 10 is operated can be prevented.

That is, according to the first aspect, the outside illuminance detecting means 6 for detecting the outside illuminance, and the lighting switch 10 for turning on and off the headlight 8 at least.
The storage means 76 for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch 10 is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8 after turning on the ignition switch 32, and the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the storage means 76 as a reference. By providing an automatic light-on / off control means 73 for automatically controlling the light-on / off operation of the headlight 8, in a state desired by each driver,
The headlights 8 can be turned on and off automatically, and the inconvenience that the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle once stored and set in a state desired by the driver is switched every time the lighting switch 10 is operated can be prevented. .

Further, in the above embodiment, even when the small light 9 does not automatically turn on / off in a state desired by the driver,
By switching the lighting switch 10 to the lighting position of the small light 9, the illuminance detection means 6 outside the vehicle at that time is switched.
Is stored in the first storage means 74 constituting the storage means 76, and thereafter, based on the external illuminance stored in the first storage means 74, not only the turning on and off of the headlight 8 but also the small The turning on and off of the light 9 is also automatically performed by the automatic turning on and off control means 73. The storage of the illuminance outside the vehicle in the first storage means 74 and the second storage means 75 is performed by turning on the ignition switch 32 and first turning the lighting switch 10 on the headlight 8 or the small light 9.
Since it is performed only when the lighting position is switched to, the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle once stored and set in a state desired by the driver is:
The inconvenience of frequently switching each time the lighting switch 10 is operated can be prevented.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the external illuminance detecting means 6 for detecting the external illuminance, the lighting switch 10 for turning on and off the headlight 8 and the small light 9 and the ignition switch 32 are turned on. First, after the lighting switch 10 is switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8, the illuminance outside the vehicle and the ignition switch 32 are first turned on, and then the lighting switch is first turned on.
A storage means 76 for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle when 32 is switched to the lighting position of the small light 9, and turning on / off the headlight 8 and turning off the small light 9 based on the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the storage means 76. By providing the automatic light-off control means 73 for automatically controlling the light-on and light-off, the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are automatically turned on and off as desired by the individual driver. This makes it possible to prevent the inconvenience that the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle, which is stored and set once in a state desired by the driver, is switched every time the lighting switch 10 is operated.

Further, according to the third aspect, the first storage means
It is preferable that the storage means 76 including the 74 and the second storage means 75 be composed of a rewritable device such as a RAM or an EEPROM. In this way, every time the lighting switch 10 is first switched to the lighting position of the headlight 8 or the small light 9 after turning on the ignition switch 32, the illuminance outside the vehicle is stored in the storage means 76. Alternatively, the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle, which automatically switches on and off the small light 9, can be easily changed in accordance with various conditions such as the physical condition of the driver and the weather.

Also, as an effect of the embodiment, since the light receiving sensor 12 and the operation switch 13 are incorporated in the sensor unit 11, the size of the device is smaller than when the light receiving sensor 12 and the operation switch 13 are separately provided. Is achieved. Furthermore, even if the operation switch 13 is on, the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 are turned off when the engine is turned off, so that it is possible to prevent the headlights 8 and the small lights 9 from being forgotten to be turned off.

Further, the control means 7 is configured to increase or decrease the illuminance of the headlight 8 by changing the duty ratio of the pulse drive signal output to the FETs 65 and 65a as the driving means of the headlight 8. Also, the illuminance of the headlight 8 can be easily and continuously changed without separately providing a voltage adjusting means for changing the voltage applied to the headlight 8.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0050]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external illuminance detecting means for detecting an external illuminance, and at least turning on and off of a headlight.
A lighting switch for performing an extinguishing operation, a storage means for storing an illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch is first switched to a lighting position of the headlight after turning on an ignition switch, and an illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the storage means Automatic turning on and off control means for automatically controlling turning on and off of the headlights on the basis of the above, so that the headlights can be turned on and off automatically in a state desired by each driver. In addition, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the reference of the illuminance outside the vehicle once stored and set in a state desired by the driver is frequently switched every time the lighting switch is operated.

The invention according to a second aspect of the present invention provides an external illuminance detecting means for detecting an external illuminance, a lighting switch for turning on and off a headlight and a small light,
The illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch was first switched to the lighting position of the headlight after turning on the ignition switch, and the lighting switch was first switched to the lighting position of the small light after turning on the ignition switch. Storage means for storing the vehicle exterior illuminance at the time, and automatic light-off control for automatically controlling the turning on / off of the headlights and the small light based on the exterior illuminance stored in the storage means. Means for automatically turning on and off the small light and the headlight in a state desired by the individual driver. Can be prevented from frequently switching every time the lighting switch is operated.

Further, the invention of claim 3 provides the above-mentioned claim 1.
Alternatively, in the configuration of claim 2, the storage means is rewritable, and not only the operation and effect of claim 1 or claim 2, but also the automatic turning on and off of headlights or small lights. It is possible to easily change the standard of the external illuminance to be switched according to various conditions such as the physical condition of the driver and the weather.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle headlight control device showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the same.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the same sensor unit.

FIG. 4 is an overall circuit diagram in which the combination switch is in a neutral position.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a main part in which the combination switch is in a neutral position.

FIG. 6 is an overall circuit diagram when the small light is turned on.

FIG. 7 is an overall circuit diagram at the time of lighting operation of the small light and the headlight.

FIG. 8 is an overall circuit diagram at the time of a passing operation.

FIG. 9 is an overall circuit diagram when the high beam is operated.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the control unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the control unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the control unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 7 control means 8 headlight 9 small light 10 lighting switch 32 ignition switch 73 automatic turning on / off control means 76 storage means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An external illuminance detecting means for detecting an external illuminance, a lighting switch for at least turning on and off a headlight, and first turning on the ignition switch after turning on an ignition switch to a lighting position of the headlight. Storage means for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle at the time of switching, and automatic lighting / light-off control means for automatically turning on / off the headlight based on the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the storage means. Vehicle headlight control device. 2. An external illuminance detecting means for detecting an external illuminance, a lighting switch for turning on and off a headlight and a small light, and turning on the ignition switch first to turn on the headlight after turning on an ignition switch. Illumination outside the vehicle when switched to the position,
And storage means for storing the illuminance outside the vehicle when the lighting switch is first switched to the lighting position of the small light after turning on the ignition switch,
A vehicle control device for automatically turning on and off the headlights and turning on and off the small lights based on the illuminance outside the vehicle stored in the storage means; Headlight control device. 3. The vehicle headlight control device according to claim 1, wherein said storage means is rewritable.